Train commuters warned to expect delays due to cracked rail at Town Hall

Updated27 August 2018 — 9:03amfirst published at 7:25am

Train commuters were warned to allow extra travel time during Monday morning's peak hour due to a cracked rail between Town Hall and Wynyard stations.

City Circle trains were running in only one direction - from Central via Museum then through the circle - while urgent track repairs took place.

The Transport Management Centre (TMC) warned passengers at 6.30am on Monday that the cracked rail had been discovered.

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Transport for NSW said crews were "working hard to repair the cracked rail at Town Hall this morning. We appreciate your patience while we divert trains to allow for the repair".

Crews carried out urgent track repairs, and at 8.25am, trains resumed in both directions around the City Circle. However, delays continued across the network due to the earlier disruptions.

Frustrated passengers reported that trains heading into the city were packed, and that many trains were "dumping" their passengers at Central.

Crews work to fix the cracked track near Town Hall station.Credit:Transport for NSW

The delays affected passengers travelling on the T2 Inner West & Leppington Line, T3 Bankstown Line and T8 Airport & South Line. T8 Airport Line trains were also terminating and starting their trips at Central, and passengers may need to change at Central to complete their journey.

Just before 8am, fewer commuters than normal appeared to be passing through Town Hall station.

The city's train system was in chaos for most of that Saturday, when major sporting events were being held across the city, with passengers stuck on trains between stations, major delays right across the network and travellers being told to simply catch the bus instead.

That incident led one train driver to vent his frustration to passengers of a lack of information from management. "You won't see our management, but they want you to be reassured by me making announcements to tell you that we have no further information," the driver said. "Thank you."